Esports World Cup 2026 to be Hosted in Paris, France

The Esports Foundation (EF) has confirmed Paris, France, as the host city for the 2026 Esports World Cup (EWC), marking the first edition outside Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The event will take place from July 6 to August 23, bringing together 2,000 players and 200 clubs from over 100 countries to compete in 24 games across 25 tournaments. A record-breaking $75 million prize pool will be awarded, reinforcing the EWC’s status as the world’s largest esports event. The decision follows an extended evaluation process, with EF accelerating its global rotation plan to provide stability for players, clubs, publishers, and fans. Paris was chosen for its reputation as a global hub for sport, culture, and entertainment, alongside strong local support. Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports Foundation, stated that Riyadh had helped establish the EWC as a global phenomenon, and Paris will now lead the next chapter of its international expansion. The 2025 EWC reached over 750 million viewers worldwide, with peak concurrent viewership nearing 8 million across 28 platforms and 97 broadcast partners in 35 languages. The 2026 edition aims to build on this success, further solidifying the event’s global audience and competitive prestige. Venue details for the Paris event will be announced in the coming weeks, with updates provided directly to registered clubs, teams, players, and ticket holders. Additional information is available on the official EWC 2026 website. The Esports Foundation remains committed to growing esports sustainably, empowering players, and positioning the sport alongside traditional global competitions. The announcement underscores the EWC’s ambition to become a permanent fixture in the international sporting calendar, blending competitive gaming with cultural and entertainment significance.